China

Country Summary

In spite of the many hurdles, the amazing power of God’s Word is clearly evident in China, and the number of Christians in China is growing rapidly. In many parts of the country, however, there are not nearly enough trained pastors and lay leaders to adequately shepherd and disciple these new believers, which can lead to the spread of false teachings and even the formation of cults.

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod seeks to assist the local Chinese church in meeting these challenges. Through partnerships at both the national and provincial levels, the LCMS works with the China Christian Council (CCC), an umbrella organization representing all government-registered Protestant churches in China.

In an effort to respond to the human needs associated with the rapid changes in China, the LCMS also partners with various relief organizations, including Lutheran Social Services in Hong Kong and Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation (CWEF), a Hong Kong-based nongovernmental organization. CWEF coordinates and administers many human-care and education projects in China, including scholarships, clean water projects, micro-credit loan programs and English-as-a-Foreign-Language workshops.

The LCMS also has been integrally involved in the founding and development of Concordia International School Shanghai, which provides quality education (preschool through high school) to Shanghai’s rapidly increasing expatriate population and equips its students for service to others in China and around the world. Founded in 1998, with a current enrollment of nearly 1,200 students, the school has rapidly grown into a world-class institution with a distinct Christian atmosphere, providing wonderful opportunities for service in the greater Shanghai community and beyond.

The LCMS first provided grants for mercy work in China in 1991 — specifically funding flood relief. Other mercy work funded by the LCMS includes expanding hospital services, caring for the aged, providing educational materials for children, clean water projects, health clinics, women’s education, building a school and learning center, micro-credit agriculture projects, scholarships, constructing irrigation systems, flood and earthquake relief, providing transportation for medical patients, pig micro-credit programs, and health clinics.

Partner Churches

A partner church is a church body with whom the LCMS has full altar and pulpit fellowship. Many LCMS partner churches are also members of the International Lutheran council, a worldwide association of confessional Lutheran church bodies. Some LCMS partner churches came into existence through LCMS-supported mission efforts while others have historic roots that pre-date the LCMS or that are sourced in the mission efforts of other Lutheran church bodies.

A contribution designated (restricted) for a specific purpose when accepted, will be used only to fund expenses related to that purpose. Occasionally, we may receive more in contributions for a particular purpose than can be wisely applied to it in the foreseeable future or the purpose may cease to be feasible. In these situations, the LCMS will make reasonable attempts to contact contributors to apply their contribution differently. If a contributor cannot be contacted, the LCMS will use the gift to meet a similar pressing need that most closely matches the contributor's original intent. Consistent with Synod Board policy, no more than 12 percent of a charitable contribution may be applied to administering gifts and communicating with contributors. Contributions received and accepted by the LCMS are deemed to be in agreement with this statement.